27/Hope

Lila was at the door within two hours. She was dressed in a form-fitting high neck navy dress that reached mid-thigh. She wore a gray knit shrug with short sleeves and black strappy heels.

Despite knowing Eric would never have allowed Alex to have the baby for her, reading Alex's text made her heart sink for a brief moment. Of course he wouldn't be giving her his offspring. Life expulsion was traumatic and Alex was so young and this was an important time of his life.

She thought of his young face. Although she hadn't known him very long, she could tell he hadn't yet fully lost the last traces of childhood. His body was still lean and hadn't filled out like fully grown men do. Her mind drifted to Eric's broad, muscular shoulders. Alex had a long way to fill out to that extent.

She began to wonder if the experience of being nested would kick his body into high gear and make him develop sooner.

Lila approached Eric's front door holding car keys and a phone. She was ready to knock but the door swung open before her knuckles made contact with the wood.

Alex stood in the doorway smiling broadly looking mightily happy to see her. Her mind drifted to the day she met Sebastian. He was surrounded in a palpable bubble of sadness. A stark contrast to whatever was going on here.

She looked Alex up and down. He was wearing a white T-shirt, black boardshorts and he was barefoot.

Lila looked at the phone's screen for the time. "Grab your shoes. We're going to be late for your appointment."

"About that," he left the words hanging. He motioned for her to enter.

Once inside, she turned to the young man. "Hurry up," she repeated.

Alex closed the door, ignoring her words. "Can I get you anything to drink?" He walked leisurely to the kitchen.

Confused, Lila followed him. "Alex? What is it?" She asked with concern evident in her tone. "Are you nervous? because everything is going to be fine. I'll be there when you wake up and I'll bring you right back." For a moment, she considered that maybe he was concerned about Eric's treatmentt toward him after-the-fact. As it was, he freely voiced his displeasure with his current condition. "If you want to recover in my house, you can."

Alex grabbed two bottled waters from the refrigerator handing one to Lila. She reached for it without thinking.

"Actually," Alex began. "I don't have a dissolution scheduled today."

Lila flinched. "Wait- what?"

He shook his head. "Lila, when I said I wanted you to keep my baby, I meant it wholeheartedly. I still do."

She stared at him and began to shake her head. "No, Alex. I can't let you subject your body through this. Not only that, your brother-"

"Eric isn't a factor." He interrupted. "This is between you and me."

She saw the determination in his face. Lila closed her eyes, sighing deeply. True as that may be, she knew Eric would never give in.

She felt his hands on her arm. She opened her eyes to see him staring at her tenderly.

"Lila, I saw how much you want your own child," he spoke softly. "So do I, but not at this point of my life." He motioned towards the kitchen table. "Let's sit down." They both placed the water on the table, sitting down, staring at each other.

"Alex, I can't let you go through this for me." She spoke softly. She placed her hands over her heart. "Not that I'm not thankful for your kindness but this is too much to ask for."

Alex chuckled. "You're not asking. I am." He reached for her hand. "And I'll never have to wonder if my kid is being cared for properly because I saw first-hand how much of a nurturer you are."

Lila stared at Alex. A part of her wanted to jump up, hug him and accept but another part was cautious. "So you'll go through the entire nesting process whether or not I decide adopt your offspring?"

Alex smiled, nodding. "You're my choice but if you don't want to accept it, I'll have to find someone else who'll-"

"No!" Lila interjected exuberantly. "I want to! I will!"

Alex smiled with a sigh. "Good. Then it's settled."

Lila placed a hand on her forehead. This was so astoundingly incredible and unpredictable. A baby of her own. She looked at Alex. "I don't know what to say. I feel that thank you isn't enough."

Alex stood, grabbing her hand and pulling her to stand. "Just love the heck out of the kid," he said before wrapping her in a tight embrace.

Happy tears began running down Lila's face. "Oh, Alex. I promise your baby will have love every single day of his or her life."

He laughed against the side of her head, "I think you mean your baby."

"The hell it is!" The two startling, quickly stepping away from each other at the sound of Eric's voice behind.